I could use some feedback

Both looks stunning. I like the Wildcat best, though. If that's your first models, I'd better start doing something else like flower arrangment or something like that! Keep up the good work, Drew

wow drew! that wildcat looks great! i really like the weathering on the leading edges of the wings...nice!

Wow, and backwards, wow. Great job!!
Lee

One word AWESOME! How was that Sword kit? I just started my first Sword kit, the P-66, and I can't believe what a little gem it is. Did your Wildcat come with photoetch and resin parts?

Drew,
These are your FIRST two planes? Holy moly!! I wish my first two planes had looked that good. I don't know about giving you any tips - looks like you don't need them!
Actually, I do have one tip - one of the best teaching sources and one of the best inspirations for bettering my modelling skills I've had over the years came from my subscription to FSM. Looking at all the fantastic models in the mag has really made me "lift my game" and the result is better models.
Why not consider sending some images to the editorial staff (especially of the Wildcat) for the reader gallery? They're good enough..........
Cheers, mate
LeeTree

Drew,

Dang nice FM-2, and the SWORD kit? You must be a brave soul... what with the vacuform canopy and all, especially for a new modeler. How was the kit? I've heard some bad stuff about it.

As far as tips, I hate pointing stuff out. Why don't you tell us a bit more about how you built them. What paints did you use, how'd you mask the canopy, how'd the kit(s) fit? Any problems you may have encountered and all that.

I really like that FM-2.


Fade to Black...

Duathlete1,
Congrates on two great looking models. I like how both your a/c turned out but my eye keeps going back to the Wildcat.
I'm sure your step dad will like it..... It would be cool if you would share w/ your friends the techniques used, paints, weathering and the like on both of these birds.
Flaps up,Mike

Wow. Very nice indeed. I am doing that raptor right now and it is kicking my ass. The fit of the parts has been just atrocious. How did you get rid of that giant ill fitting seem on the top of the fuselage where the front meets the wings? (I could use some feedback!)

Great work! Keep it up and thanks for sharing!!!

Hi Duathlete1 you dont need tips from me ,I need em from you how did you achieve that exhaust staining on the "cat" its better than i can do. Keep up the (very) good work....Gregers

"Hope he likes it", indeed! I'm sure your FIL loved it! The F-22 looks great too. One minor point: the F-22 is a USAF bird and will be entering service with that branch in the coming months. Navy has their own programs, though they are buying the new Lockheed F-35B JSF variant for the Corps.

Wow... Thanks for all of the great replies. The Sword kit wasn't too bad actually. The engine was a little large for the fuselage as was the floor of the cockpit, so there was some sanding to be done. The canopy was an interesting experience, but the kit comes with two just in case you screw up. I went with the Sword kit because it is the only FM-2 out there. There is a conversion kit for the Tamiya F4F, but I thought that would be a little too much this early in the game. I used MM enamels and added a few small details - gun barrels are glass capillary pipettes, I added some wire to the engine to simulate lines, and the tail antenna and antenna wire were added. The exhaust stains are MM Jet Exhaust that I diluted way down and shot very CAREFULLY with my air brush. It was a lot of fun to build, especially since it had real meaning to my step father. I got really lucky with the decals - they are from the exact squadron that he flew with!

The Raptor was a bear. The top of the fuselage has a huge gap - that took a lot of filler. I used a tachnique that I read on one of the sites - fill the gap and simply wipe the excess away with a q-tip wet with acetone. For a big gap it might take a few tries, but there is little to no sanding necessary when you are done.

I hope to finish up an F-16 this week - I'll post when it is finished. Thanks again for all of the very positive feedback!

Drew

Nice job Drew. I like 'em both. I also think you've got a pretty good eye for photography... your shots turned out really nice.

Murray

That Wildcat is awesome!! I'm just curious -- how long did it take to build the Wildcat? How many hours of research do you think you put into it? Have you done other models before these two? Looking at those pictures it seems like you knew what you were doing. I look forward to seeing pictures of that F-16 when you're done.

I also agree with Murray in regards to the photography. Those are very nice shots.

Thanks Murray and Bayonet! The Wildcat was a project I really enjoyed. It was my first plane since I was a kid building models with my father. It did take me about 6 weeks to finish with probably 10-12 hours of research in libraries, museums, and on line. I collected a lot of pics, but had a really time finding markings for that particular squadron flying off of that particulat carrier. I finally got the info I needed from a person working at the Pensicola Naval AIr Museum - he sent me pics and the marking scheme for the Fanshaw bay - I was pretty psyched about that. I knew it was going to be a winner when actually found the decals for my step father's actual squadron! I gave the plane to him in March when he and my mother met me down in Birmingham to watch me race at Powerman down there. He loved it. Next - the F-16! It's almost done!

Those look really sharp! Are you sure these are your first models?

Thanks, Rebel - they really are. I spent a lot of time researching techniques and asking questions. Needless to say, I'm hooked. I already have a pile of others that I am going to get to some time. I'm working on a Mini Cooper for a friend of mine (I'm not really into cars, but thought I would do it as a favor to him) and an F-16 that is almost finished. After that I am going to finish up a MiG-17 that I started months ago. Anyway, I'm sure that this is no different than any of you guys - a big to-do pile. I look forward to posting in the future!

Drew

WOW, that Wildcat is awesome, congrats, that is a fine job, how did you made those lines over the decals?? is that a pencil??? Congratulations man, i´d love to build something as great as that :-( .... is that your first model??

My best regards
Hector Reymundo

Very nice Wildcat. The F-22 is slick, too. Keep posting your stuff online. It's quite good. - Ed

Thanks, guys. The wildcat is actually my second model and the Raptor my third. The lines on the decals are a mixture - I did the decals before weathering. I did my panel lines with straight oil paint - just work it into the lines and wipe off the excess. Any lines that needed more got the pencil after some flat clear coat. Thanks for the nice words. I'll post my F-16 next week. Any advice on painting the AMRAM and Sparrow armament?